HELP: Mo the Sulcata is a picky eater

[Sulcata_Sandy]

So of you may remember me posting about Mo whom I rescued this spring. Mangled beak, mostly on left side (several more experienced tortoise rescuers agreed most likely a result of a bad beak trim).



Mo has not been a big eater, and at 12" is only 6lbs. The rescue people agreed he is a bit thin but no skinny. He only eats if he's out in the sun in either grass or plantain. I can't get him to eat indoors...this has been months. I didn't worry too much, he has the run of the yard all day, and in on cool nights.
Now, its rainy and cold.....42 last night, and poured all day yesterday. Sorry MoMo, you stay inside.

Because of his beak injury, he's a little challenging to feed. Refuses soaked Mazuri or Grassland pellets. Tried breaking up, making mash mounts, smearing on leaves (on rare occasion he will take romain.)

I'm not in a panic yet (nor am I ever one to do so...LOL). Just looking for tips. He's still young and shy, but quickly getting more comfortable with me daily. He loves to walk around the house and investigate. Has a heat pad (super safe outdoor kennel style) and plants to hide under. Making him and indoor more "natural" sleep enclosure now.

Temps/lighting/UV/bi-weekly soaks...all covered. I'm strictly asking about food ideas.
I offer a pile of mixed items (alfalfa, Mazuri, tort pellets lightly wetted, cat grasses, etc) hoping if he gets hungry enough he will nibble on something.



Sandy
Oregon Tortoise Rescue

 

[ascott]

If he grazes on the grass and plantain while outdoors....why not plant some shallow trays of grass and plantain that you can let him eat on/from during the winter---I mean if you can set him up access somewhere indoors to do this...

When you rescued him did the place you rescue him from know what damaged him? I would not think bad beak trim though? Just my thought...

 

[manetteaplin]

Have you tried planting flats of grass and the things he likes to eat outdoors, so he can still pluck his fresh food? I just planted about 4 they don't last long but might be an option.


Manette
Sulcata momma
central point,OR
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[sibi]

How about hand feeding him with his favorite foods? Btw, I agree with Angela. I don't think it's a bad beak trim. Sullies usually don't require beak trims. It looks like cleft beak. I've seen some photos of cleft in torts, and this is what it looks like to me. Now, the cleft could have gotten injured, but it really looks like that to me.

 

[Sulcata_Sandy]

To answer questions...

He was found on the side of a rural highway by a passer-by who brought him to me. So no history.

I can't hand feed him, he's very shy and will freeze. Working on it, slowly, but definitely not an option at this point.

I'm trying to grow indoor grasses, bought a "kit" Saturday, now we wait. I'm horrible with plants, so I'm not holding my breath, but I'm going to try, for his sake.

Thank you all, keep brainstorming. I appreciate the help and support.


Sandy
Oregon Tortoise Rescue

 

[SANDRA_MEISSNEST]

did you try giving him some ripe avocado, mine loves it and it's really easy to eat

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[Sulcata_Sandy]

I'm gonna try that!!

Thanks!!


Sandy
Oregon Tortoise Rescue

 

[Levi the Leopard]

Re: RE: HELP: Mo the Sulcata is a picky eater

did you try giving him some ripe avocado, mine loves it and it's really easy to eat

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I need to double check but I remember reading that avocado was toxic?
I have an avocado tree in a planter in my yard and now that the leopards roam the yard I googled it and read it was toxic to tortoises. Leaves and fruits so I plan to pull it.

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[Sulcata_Sandy]

I know the pits are. I will do a bit of research and find out about the "meat". I buy alot of them because of the health benefits, and its a cheap filing lunch for me.

Thanks for the heads up!


Sandy
Oregon Tortoise Rescue

 

[SANDRA_MEISSNEST]

I thought that just the leaves and the seed is toxic but not the friut itself

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[Sulcata_Sandy]

Correct!!!


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[SANDRA_MEISSNEST]

Good

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Also did u try giving him pumkin,?
I bake mine first so that its super soft, its also very good as a dewormer.

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one more thing did you try to the nepal cactus ? they love it too and its lots of calcium in it, cut it up small for him, its super juicy and very refreshing

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